Hyderabad Drinking Water is Contaminated with E.Coli: Report

Hyderabad: Think twice before drinking any water, 99 percent of the drinking water in Hyderabad is contaminated by sewerage as per the officials.

A quality report issued by the Institute of Health System for March 2016, stated that Eusheria coli bacteria is present in water at an alarming rate. The drinking water in Alwal and Saroornagar is said to have the most contaminated water with E.coli count of 1,600 per 100ml of water.

E.coli is bacteria which is found in gastrointestinal tract of both human and animals it is released into the environment via faecal matter. E coli infection cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and sometimes may cause high fever.

According to the officials 324 km of the water pipelines are damaged out 688km. Mr. S.V. Ramana Rao, general manager of the Water Board's quality and analyses unit stated that “cross mixing of drains with drinking water pipelines is the major factor for the presence of E.coli. The main source of bacteria is from human faecal matter. Core areas of the city have old networks. If there is any leakages in joints, water could be polluted”.

Contaminated water has turbidity, hardness, smell and sometimes have a different color. E.coli can only be identified through analyses. The test are conducted on daily basis, once the sample is found to be contaminated the authorities inform the division general manager to stop the supply of water on temporary basis or boil the water or an advisory is sent for filtration.